Dear Reader: These are extraordinary times we’re living in, and while we’ve always got an eye toward health and wellness, sometimes it’s not just about calories and fat grams. Self-care might look like an over-the-top carpet picnic in the living room, or sweet treats that aren’t normally a part of your diet. We believe that sometimes it’s OK to forego the status quo, and that’s why the Pandemic Pantry series includes some “yummy but maybe not for every day” recipes for you to try. Enjoy!
Could these little chocolate strawberry owls be any more adorable? And now that so many of us have all this time on our hands while in quarantine, food that’s fun can become a staple of everyday living.
You might say these little guys should be reserved for kiddos, and maybe even then just for their birthday parties. Who wants to individually craft strawberries into adorable tiny masterpieces, only to be quickly gobbled up? But I say if you’re headed to the fridge 87 times a day because you’re eating out of boredom, then you can play with your food a little my friend.
Plus, it’s kind of fun! And the grazing options are out of this world. We’re talking marshmallows, chocolate, mango, strawberries and bananas. These five tastes, incidentally, are absolutely one of the best flavor combos, hands down. So be sure to set out a bit more than the recipe calls for, because you’re likely to graze your way right through at least that much in no time flat.
Time to put on your creativity cap! Here come the chocolate strawberry owls.
Ingredients:
- 10 strawberries
- 1-2 bananas
- 3-6 mini marshmallows (or you can use sugar eyes)
- 20 chocolate chips
- whipped cream
- chocolate sprinkles
- shredded coconut (optional)
- 5 chocolate biscuit sticks or chocolate covered pretzel sticks
- 1-2 dry mango strips
Instructions:
- Slice bananas into pieces about ½ inch thick. Coat them in whipped cream and coat the outside of each of them in chocolate sprinkles and/or coconut. These are the nests for your owls.
- Next, cut marshmallows into little circles. Insert chocolate chips in the center of each to form the eyes. (alternatively you can use pre-made sugar eyes available in the baking section of your local supermarket). Stick the eyes on the strawberry using a little whipped cream for “glue”.
- Cut small elongated triangles from the dried mango to make a beak for your owl.
- Use a chocolate biscuit stick or pretzel to connect the strawberry to the banana. Insert into the base of the strawberry first, then plug that little cutie right in his little banana nest.
- Enjoy your snack!
